Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin 750ML

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin 750ML is a 47-botanical dry gin from Germany's Black Forest, bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof) in a 750ml bottle. An IWSC 2024 Gold medal winner rated 93 points by the Beverage Testing Institute, this expression stands as one of the most botanically complex gins produced anywhere in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47%  |  Origin: Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Germany  |  Style: Dry Gin  |  Distillery: Black Forest Distillers GmbH

Production & Heritage

Black Forest Distillers GmbH, based in Loßburg in southwestern Germany's Schwarzwald region, produces Monkey 47 through a multi-stage process involving maceration, distillation, percolation, and oxidation of a molasses-based spirit. The 47 botanicals — including lingonberries, blackberries, honey pomelo, chamomile, sage, angelica, and coriander — are sourced largely from the surrounding Black Forest landscape. What truly separates this gin from nearly all competitors is its post-distillation maturation: the distillate rests for three months in traditional earthenware containers before being cut to bottling strength with local Black Forest spring water, a step almost unheard of in gin production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Juniper leads prominently on the nose, followed by intense herbal layers of chamomile and sage. Beneath that initial wave, wood spices, fresh pine, and bright citrus peel emerge alongside subtle vegetal undertones.

Taste: The entry is crisp and juniper-forward, quickly expanding into a remarkably complex mid-palate of earthy spices, tart citrus, and a weave of herbal and fruit notes that shift with each sip. As the palate develops, a sweet and fruity turn surfaces — lingonberry and blackberry making their presence felt alongside hints of pomelo zest.

Finish: Long, rich, and bursting with botanical detail that refuses to fade quickly. A delicate hint of lemon balm lingers at the very end, tying the experience together with a clean, aromatic close.

How to Drink Monkey 47

Neat or with a single large ice cube is the most rewarding first approach — the sheer number of botanicals reveals new dimensions as the spirit opens up at different temperatures. A small splash of cool water can further unlock the more delicate herbal and floral layers.

In cocktails, Monkey 47 brings uncommon depth:

• Gin & Tonic: The complexity of 47 botanicals transforms a simple G&T into a layered experience; pair with a quality Indian tonic and a sprig of fresh thyme.
• Negroni: The earthy, herbal backbone and lingonberry tartness stand up beautifully against Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth.
• French 75: The citrus brightness and clean finish integrate seamlessly with champagne and fresh lemon juice for an elegant sparkling cocktail.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who thinks they've tried everything
• Building a world-class home bar with a standout German gin
• Hosting a gin tasting evening focused on botanical complexity
• Mixing elevated cocktails where the base spirit truly matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Monkey 47 taste like? Monkey 47 delivers a remarkably complex profile led by juniper, earthy spices, tart citrus, and forest berries including lingonberry and blackberry. The finish is long and aromatic with a signature hint of lemon balm.

How does Monkey 47 compare to Hendrick's Gin? Hendrick's uses 11 botanicals and is known for its signature cucumber and rose petal character at 41.4% ABV, while Monkey 47 employs 47 botanicals at a higher 47% ABV and delivers a far more layered, earthy, and herbal profile. Monkey 47 also undergoes a three-month earthenware maturation that Hendrick's does not, resulting in a rounder, more integrated spirit.

Is Monkey 47 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the extraordinary botanical complexity and smooth earthenware-matured texture make it one of the most rewarding gins to drink without any mixer. A single ice cube or a few drops of water can help reveal additional layers.

Where is Monkey 47 made? Monkey 47 is produced by Black Forest Distillers GmbH in Loßburg, located in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) region of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. Many of its 47 botanicals are foraged or sourced from this same forested landscape.

What foods pair well with Monkey 47? Smoked trout or salmon, where the gin's herbal and pine notes complement the fish's richness. Soft goat cheese with honey, which mirrors the spirit's sweet-to-savory arc. Fresh berry tarts, particularly those featuring lingonberry or blackberry. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and cornichons. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage, which draws out the earthy spice notes.

What sizes does Monkey 47 come in? Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and a 375ml half-bottle format can also be found in select markets.

Is Monkey 47 worth the price? Monkey 47 positions firmly in the premium gin tier, and its 47-botanical recipe, earthenware maturation, and consistent critical acclaim — including IWSC Gold and a 93-point BTI rating — justify its standing above most competitors at a similar price point.

Why Monkey 47?

No other widely available gin uses 47 individual botanicals, and fewer still mature their distillate in earthenware before bottling. That three-month rest in clay vessels — a technique borrowed more from eau-de-vie tradition than standard gin production — gives the spirit a textural roundness and integration that column-to-bottle gins simply cannot replicate. Backed by an IWSC 2024 Gold medal, a 93-point rating from the Beverage Testing Institute, and recognition by The Independent as one of the world's ten best gins, Monkey 47 has earned its reputation through verifiable critical praise rather than marketing alone. For anyone serious about gin, this Black Forest expression remains a benchmark for what botanical complexity can achieve in the category.